Marking out or layout is the process of transferring a design

Design

Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...

 or pattern

Pattern

A pattern, from the French patron, is a type of theme of recurring events or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of a set of objects.These elements repeat in a predictable manner...

 to a workpiece, as the first step in the manufacturing process. It is performed in many industries or hobbies although in the repetition industries the machine's initial setup is designed to remove the need to mark out every individual piece.

Manufacturing

Marking out consists of transferring the dimensions from the plan

Technical drawing

Technical drawing, also known as drafting or draughting, is the act and discipline of composing plans that visually communicate how something functions or has to be constructed.Drafting is the language of industry....

 to the workpiece in preparation for the next step, machining or manufacture.

Typical tools include:

• Surface plate
  Surface plate
  A surface plate is a solid, flat plate used as the main horizontal reference plane for precision inspection, marking out , and tooling setup. The surface plate is often used as the baseline for all measurements to the workpiece, therefore one primary surface is finished extremely flat with...
  
   or marking out table — provides a true surface from which to work
• Angle plate
  Angle plate
  An angle plate is a work holding device used as a fixture in metalworking.The angle plate is made from high quality material that has been stabilized to prevent further movement or distortion...
  
  s — assist in holding the workpiece perpendicular to the table
• Scriber
  Scriber
  A scriber is a hand tool used in metalworking to mark lines on workpieces, prior to machining. The process of using a scriber is called scribing and is just part of the process of marking out. It is used instead of pencils or ink lines, because the marks are hard to see, easily erased, and...
  
   — is the equivalent of a pen or pencil. It literally scratches the metal surface leaving behind a fine, bright line
• Height gauge
  Height gauge
  A height gauge is a measuring device used either for determining the height of something, or for repetitious marking of items to be worked on...
  
   or scribing block — allows lines to be scribed at a preset distance, from the tables surface
• Surface gage — an ungraduated comparison measuring tool that performs much the same function as the vernier height gage. It is often used in conjunction with a dial indicator
  Dial indicator
  Dial indicators, also known as dial gauges and probe indicators, are instruments used to accurately measure small linear distances, and are frequently used in industrial and mechanical processes...
  
   and a precision height gage.
• Marking blue
  Marking blue
  Marking blue, layout stain or Prussian blue is a dye used in metalworking to aid in marking out rough parts for further machining. It is sometimes called Dykem...
  
   — to provide a usable writing
  Writing
  Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
  
   surface by covering any existing scratches and providing a contrasting background
• Profile gauge
  Profile gauge
  A profile gauge or contour gauge is a tool for recording the cross-sectional shape of a surface.Contour gauges consist of a set of steel or plastic pins that are set tightly against one another in a frame which keeps them in the same plane and parallel while allowing them to move independently,...
  
  
• Protractor
  Protractor
  In geometry, a protractor is a circular or semicircular tool for measuring an angle or a circle. The units of measurement utilized are usually degrees.Some protractors are simple half-discs; these have existed since ancient times...
  
   — to assist in the transfer of angular measurements
  Angle
  In geometry, an angle is the figure formed by two rays sharing a common endpoint, called the vertex of the angle.Angles are usually presumed to be in a Euclidean plane with the circle taken for standard with regard to direction. In fact, an angle is frequently viewed as a measure of an circular arc...
  
  
• Combination square
  Combination square
  A combination square is a tool used for multiple purposes in woodworking, stonemasonry and metalworking. It is composed of a ruled blade and one or more interchangeable heads that may be affixed to it...
  
   — an alternative tool for transferring angular measurements
• Square
  Machinist square
  A machinist square or engineer's square is the metalworkers' equivalent of a try square. It consists of a steel blade inserted and either welded or pinned into a heavier body at an angle of 90°. In the accompanying image, there is evidence of pinning at the intersection of the blade and body: the...
  
   — to transfer 90° angles to the workpiece
• Punches — either prick or center punch to create permanent marks or dimples for drill bit
  Drill bit
  Drill bits are cutting tools used to create cylindrical holes. Bits are held in a tool called a drill, which rotates them and provides torque and axial force to create the hole. Specialized bits are also available for non-cylindrical-shaped holes....
  
  s to start in
  • Automatic center punch
    Automatic center punch
    An automatic center punch is a hand tool used to produce a dimple in a workpiece . It performs the same function as an ordinary center punch but without the need for a hammer...
    
     — a spring-loaded punch that creates prick punch marks without the need for a ball peen hammer
• Ball peen hammer — used in conjunction with the punches to provide the striking blow needed
• Dividers or measuring compass — for creating circles or arcs

Welding

As welding does not always require the use of fine tolerances, marking out is usually performed by using centre punches, hammers, tape measure

Tape measure

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible form of ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fiber glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common measuring tool. Its flexibility allows for a measure of great length to be easily carried in pocket or toolkit and...

s and chalk

Chalk

Chalk is a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Calcite is calcium carbonate or CaCO3. It forms under reasonably deep marine conditions from the gradual accumulation of minute calcite plates shed from micro-organisms called coccolithophores....

.

The "chalk" is actually a small pre-cut block of talc

Talc

Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula H2Mg34 or Mg3Si4O102. In loose form, it is the widely-used substance known as talcum powder. It occurs as foliated to fibrous masses, its crystals being so rare as to be almost unknown...

 (soapstone

Soapstone

Soapstone is a metamorphic rock, a talc-schist. It is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich in magnesium. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism, which occurs in the areas where tectonic plates are subducted, changing rocks by heat and pressure, with influx...

). These talc blocks can be sharpened to a stronger point than the softer blackboard

Blackboard

A chalkboard is a reusable writing surface.Blackboard may also refer to:* Blackboards are synonymous with "boards of infamy", an element of agitation-propaganda in the Soviet Union in 1930s, coincidental with Holodomor...

 chalk. The color of the chalk provides good contrast against the dark color of the hot rolled steel that is generally used.

Sheetmetal

A sharp scriber

Scriber

A scriber is a hand tool used in metalworking to mark lines on workpieces, prior to machining. The process of using a scriber is called scribing and is just part of the process of marking out. It is used instead of pencils or ink lines, because the marks are hard to see, easily erased, and...

 along with try square

Try square

A try-square is a woodworking or a metal working tool used for marking and measuring a piece of wood. The square refers to the tool's primary use of measuring the accuracy of a right angle ; to try a surface is to check its straightness or correspondence to an adjoining surface...

s, ruler

Ruler

A ruler, sometimes called a rule or line gauge, is an instrument used in geometry, technical drawing, printing and engineering/building to measure distances and/or to rule straight lines...

s, trammel

Trammel points

A beam compass is a compass with a beam and sliding sockets or cursors for drawing and dividing circles larger than those made by a regular pair of compasses...

s and tape measure

Tape measure

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible form of ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fiber glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common measuring tool. Its flexibility allows for a measure of great length to be easily carried in pocket or toolkit and...

s are generally sufficient for this field

Woodworking

In carpentry

Carpentry

A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....

 and joinery

Joinery

Joinery may refer to:* Woodworking joints or other types of mechanical joints * The work of the joiner, the fabrication and installation of fittings in buildings with materials such as wood and aluminum * In Australia and New Zealand, a joinery is also the generic term for a business which...

 practice a pencil is used for marking while in cabinetmaking a marking knife

Marking knife

A marking knife is a woodworking layout tool. It is used to scribe a line to be followed by a hand saw or chisel when making woodworking joints and other operations....

provides for greater accuracy.